[Soft tissue profile changes in micrognathia after distraction osteogenesis].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of distraction osteogenesis for severe micrognathia by comparing the pre- and post-operative profile and mentolabial relationship.


METHODS
16 cases underwent temporal-mandibular joint plasty and temporal fasciomuscular flap transfer. The mandibular distraction began at the 5th postoperative day at a rate of 0.8 mm a day, two times a day. Bony and soft tissue cephalometry were performed before and after operation. T-test was used to study the change after distraction osteogenesis.


RESULTS
There were significant differences in facial convexity, lower facial height, lower lip length, inter-labial distance, the ratio of lip to mental, the distance from lip to esthetic plane, the depth of mentolabial crease and the thickness of mental soft tissue.


CONCLUSIONS
Mandibular distraction osteogenesis can markedly improve the soft tissue profile of the middle and lower face for severe micrognathia.
Fu
Xiao-Hui
XH
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2nd Affiliated Hospital School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
Chen
Jan
J
Ping
Fei-Yun
FY
Yan
Feng-Guo
FG
Shan
Yi-Dan
YD
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008844:Micrognathism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D011184:Postoperative Period